Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has sent out a stern warning to employers, in both the public and private sectors, indicating to them that they should avoid abusing interns attached to their establishments.
The prime minister was speaking at the launch of a National Employment Program on Monday, which is geared at providing employment opportunities for unemployed college and university graduates.
The program will see interns attached to various establishments, and according to the prime minister they will be learning and bringing new skills to the companies.
“Fellow employers these recruits are joining your company or in the case of the government service your department, to learn, to impress and to contribute. They are not coming to run errands or to do odd jobs around the office. Many of them are highly trained and skilled and they need the opportunity to put their theory into practice,” he said.
He added that in the next three to 12 months he should be able to say boldly that abuse of interns did not happen during the National Employment Program.
“The people who are being employed are not to be employed to pick up and drop off your kids at school, they are not to take your groceries to your home, they are not to babysit for you, they are there to help you build your business. So I do hope that you will recognize the importance of these young, talented, aspiring recruits who will be at your workplace,” Skerrit noted.
He added that he intends to make various visits to the establishments which will be hosting trainees to ensure that everything is running smoothly as planned.
In the meantime he warned the trainees that having a poor attitude toward work will not be beneficial on their quest of finding employment.
“Notwithstanding all the training and qualifications you have, if you become known as having a bad attitude or for unpunctuality or for any other trait not becoming of a model employee I warn you this morning that word will get around,” he noted.
The Prime Minister urged the prospective interns that they should be at their best in the weeks and months following the program since they will be under observation.
“There will always be scope and room in Dominica and the world over for model employees. Employees who are willing to go the extra mile, who get to work on time and who do not sit impatiently waiting for the 4 o’clock hour to stampede through the door. There will be new employers in Dominica who will be on the lookout for recruits who are innovative and enterprising,” he added.
He admonished them to strive to be amongst those employees who are considered to be excellent by discerning onlookers.
“It does not matter where you came from, what type of upbringing you had or sometimes in may respects how academically qualified you are what is crucial in the world of work are aptitude and attitude and willingness to work hard and to get along with others,” he said.
I don’t know how Dominicans level of tolerance for none sense is so high but I am really tired of hearing and seeing Roosevelt Skerrit, go take a rest for crying out loud. You got a Minister with responsibility for employment issues. I think you’ve been through the washing machine too many times, give it up.
This is getting very nauseating. I really can’t stand hearing the same none sense from the same person….. Enough already.
At this point I am willing to hear none sense from a different character. I really don’t care. Need to break this monotony. How much can one really take?
“….a stern warning to employers, in both the public and private sectors, indicating to them that they should avoid abusing interns attached to their establishments” is a classical textbook (reverse) psychological approach aimed at one thing and one thing only… gain the heart and sentiment of the employee!!!!
The prime minister was speaking at the launch of a National Employment Program on Monday, which is geared at providing employment opportunities for unemployed college and university graduates.SO WHAT ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL GRADS ?
Elections coming?
You have been abusing us since you started your reign.
The Honorable Prime Minister is a product of well bred insolence. This has gone for too long. Its election season again, as a result, The PM is getting very busy, too busy I should say. But one thing is for sure in all this politicking: the people need some money in their pockets, and a long term job to sustain them.
I only wish that the PM would catch the progressive vision and turn this mess around. We need better and more capable politicians on both sides. The people who want our votes cannot even handle ” subject verb agreement” . They are the products of chance.
DNO, How come you all have’nt made mention or showed pictures of the massive UWP rally at the Potervielle savannah on Sunday? Something to make you say hmmmmmmmmmm.
PM I agree with yu 100% and also warn the Interns to tell dem nasty employers der modaass if they onie mess aroun
The PM has spoken to the point, addressing the issues of expectations of both interns and business owners.
I dare say that Monica Lewinsky, the most famous intern in recent history did not have to pick and take up kids, baby sit or do groceries, etc. But through her internship we saw a famous president on TV denying his actions and wagging his finger at the world at large. In other to avoid a local version of “it depends on what is, is”, the Dear Leader’s statement is not enough. If impressionable young men and ladies with no office training are going to be sent to public or private organizations as part of a government initiative, then clear ground rules and legislation should be enacted and put in place beforehand and maybe even a contract drawn up by both parties.
And, this canard about interns getting valuable work experience needs to be put to rest. Sometimes there’s nothing to learn because all internships are not created equal. Perhaps the time has also come to look at the non-interns or regular workers who are forced to do for their employers, all the things (and some other things) the Dear Leader mentioned.
The PM looks tormented in this picture. Was it taken at the launching?
After what he saw at the Potersvielle Savana Sunday he must be tormented.
The sight of all the little children running about in Pottersville park make him tormented? Papa the PM not easy eh.
This is a joke. How many ministries does the PM run? He still has time to personally go to the employers of the interns to make sure things are going right? Give me a break. Just goes to show how this thing is a big joke..wheel and come again Mr PM
Always critical, eh? Being consistently critical will get you nowhere. You look at it as a big joke because your mind is so inclined and narrow.
The PM is taking an interest in those whom he has successfully placed in those establishments as interns and also taking an interest in them. In addition, the business enterprises are paid for their training.
Why should the PM not make sporadic visits to those work places? He has every right to do so. This is reaching out to both employer and interns. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Hats off to the PM!
I was wondering the same thing. Does he run every ministry?
There are sooooooo many question to be asked and answered with this move!!! Just 2 caught my mind: with the programme based on a GOVT. subvention of over 9 million (placed in the last budget) and part financing from the 40 million ALBA grant, how will the financial sustainability be achieved next year…. Will that budgetary allocation for the payment of “public” and “private” officers impact positively on our not too strong IMF Public Fiscal Prudence (remember austerity included reducing public sector wage bill).
Do not allow the fox to watch over the coop! If they are “too hot to handle” call the PM. A.S.A.P.
Well done PM. It has to work both ways for employer and employee.
Well said PM. No bedding them either, respect yourselves.
next level the way to go
Too late to act “Presidential” These recruiters/employers needed good examples starting from the top down. Every one thinks it’s fine to cut corners and hide a little here and there in Dominica. “Do as I say, not as I do.” Bravo
What are we talking about here?………..”Abuse” of power?
look who is talking who passing 1/3 of there time out of the country it is u that abusing the state
skerrit asa pwon moun pour sort
yes pm now i see you talking business, because in one particular establishment it have two pigs that try to mash up all interns that come n work and when they cannot get they frustrating the poor ladies. they promising them raise and trip and all sort of things. One even ordered a salary increase of 1000 for a particular one, eh still do get nothing and tried to frustrate the poor woman, but she went to study to escape the bastardo.
Just give me chance DNO i will spell them out
he looks old in this picture….or very tired..
The parallels between the St. Kitts Labour party and the Dominica Labour party continue. In St. Kitts this program is called People Empowerment Programme, PEP, and it is not without controversy.
Please don’t have them playing candy crush and solitaire all day. Teach them proper office protocol like not chewing gum at your desk, not wearing headphones while at your desk, not answering your cell phone while you are with a customer, greeting people, getting to work on tie etc. I wish I could have an intern to work with.
My best internship was my first two years of employment by Astapha; my work ethics were honed there although I did not recognize that until many years later. No regrets though.
Crash programs are never goo. Mr. PM, Please create opportunities for long term jobs. Example: develop a manufacturing plant, give farmers soft loans to develop their fields – get markets for them too.Get creative Mr.PM. Dominica is waiting on you, we need real chage, we need a better Dominica. Please do, creat a better environment for investment.
How long should D/a wait for Mr. to come up with a plan? Another 10-15 years?
Do you have a suggestion?
Good to point out the good & bad. But it’s about accountability. Goes both ways. Either we hire to achieve, to learn and to grow that all will aspire. What is needed is learning from the old and trying out the new. It is good that the PM recognized that we can gain from the new recruits but remember, they are new, and need to learn as much as the old must help and direct them. This is not the time to knock the PM but to encourage our young to seek out programs that will encourage them with their skills. Everyone will benefit hence, community growth.
Thumbs up to you PM… Couldn’t have said it any better. Blessings to you!!!!
in·tern also in·terne (ntûrn)
n.
1.
a. A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training.
b. A physician who has recently graduated from medical school and is learning medical practice in a hospital under supervision, prior to beginning a residency program.
2. One who is interned; an internee.
A trainee for future positions whether in other establishment. TIt is also called work experience.
“It does not matter where you came from, what type of upbringing you had or sometimes in may respects how academically qualified you are what is crucial in the world of work are aptitude and attitude and willingness to work hard and to get along with others.”
Does it matter who you support and what political colours your wear ‘Mr. All of a Sudden Jobs PM?
Are you at a loss for words? Why repeat what the PM stated? Some of you have a habit of repeating words. It is not necessary. We already read them. It makes your repetition boring.
Stop being a pompous I…, she has every right to express her opinion.
lollz….da is d 500 new jobs dre
Skewo th ehear tis on and you are responding but not enough. Your policeis are dwarfed and its too little to late.
Now just between you and me: when are you calling the elections? The Blue team has their game on you will agree. They are in form boy and they might just bowl your side out……. Good Riddance and good for our country.
Some people excel in criticism. This is as far as they go and know. Your criticism is not even constructive. It serves no useful purpose.
Well said Mr. P.M.
very well said… i totally agree with you
Couldn’t have said it better Mr. PM.
Boy I must laugh you know. They have some people attached to rum shop and they call this internship program. desperation ca fen bagaille qui
So you calling the man Restaurant and Bar a Rum shop??
Boy some of all you Dominicans dangerous we all because of foolish politics!!!
The Program is a very good one and i applaude the government for such an innitiative… I hope the Dog at Last that own the restaurant and bar who also plays foolish politics understand what all you think of his place….Set of Wicked ppl you all are!!!!
I endorse what you stated. I have noted that the Internet also brings out the worst in some people, the evil that is imbedded in their hearts and minds. It is obvious.
If is rum shop qualifications you have that’s where you will go, its simple. That is the problem with the country, people unqualified, not trained, no skill but is in office they want to work to play candy crush. Wait till the qualified foreigners take all the jobs with csme then you will see how DA had all those jobs, sort
Bravo how long are these people will be employed?
will public servants be getting a descent salary increase to meet their daily needs over the past few months, the government has been distributing funds far and wide but has not seen it fit to mention public servants who are the machinery of the money generating system.
“decent…”
You should know that they receive a trainee’s – intern’s salary.
I hope those public servants work as hard as they possibly could for their salary and take an interest in their work and performing it to their fullest, according to the salary they are paid.